How to cut steel sheet metal

[PaulLowrance]

I have a roll of steel sheet metal that's 8inches by 10feet and 28gauge. I would like to cut the sheet metal in 8inch columns. Since steel doesn't bend so easily, then how is this cut? I don't want to saw it because that will lose a lot of metal. Will any of these work -->

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92148

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=65895

So on the electric one, lets say the blade is 0.5" long. Then after it makes one cut that is 0.5" long, then how am I going to push the cutter 0.5" into the steel sheet to cut the next 0.5"?  I mean, how is that going to happen without bending the sheet? Don't I need a long cutter? Also the sheet metal has a thin coating of paint, so I don't want to damage the paint.

Thanks,
PL

[BEP]

The nibbler is fine for most cuts except long or straight ones. Once you are done your hand will either fall off from wear or you will look like one of those crabs with one small and one large claw 
If you are worried about waste from a wide cut the nibbler isn't the one for you.

The motorized shear is a good tool but I found Harbor freight products are usually one-time use 

If your metal is 28 ga. then avoid bending it during cuts. Just let it flex out of the way when you cut and just use tin snips (hand shears).

The motorized shear works the same way. As you cut, one side of the cut flexes away as the cutter travels.
For sheet metal that thickness I just use hand tools.

[Steven Dufresne]

I've cut 24 gauge (0.025") copper and aluminium with tin snips. If your application is high voltage than you might also want to take into consideration whether your snips have serrated (teeth, and therefore jagged cut) or non-serrated (no teeth, smooth cut) cutting edges. A jagged edge will ionize air easier. That's something I'm careful of.

Is there any bending resulting from using a nibbler? I've never heard of them before you guys mentioned them. Often I start with a nice flat piece of metal and would like to end up with a flat piece too. You don't get that with snips.
-Steve
http://rimstar.org   http://wsminfo.org

[Dave45]

Take it to a sheet metal shop get them to cut it with a shear.

[PaulLowrance]

BEP,

What you say sounds like great and true advice, but you're one funny guy! :-) So that's how a nibbler works. I was wondering. There must be at least two cutting blades to cut a channel, which would explain how it could easily slide through the cutting.

Tin snips? That seems familiar while strolling the isles of home depot. BTW, I agree with you on most harbor freight items. Some HF things are good such as their arc welding wire. I mean, how can you go wrong with that, 10 lbs of copper coated carbon steel 35mil for $20!!



Steven Dufresne,

Thanks for the info on snips. I'll look for some with no jagged teeth.

Take it to a sheet metal shop get them to cut it with a shear.

That would be nice, but that's more of a luxury option for a flat broke guy like myself!



PL